geebob
May 2nd 2003, 01:10 PM
Posted by Patroclus
context found here:
http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?postid=80455#post80455
I think this is a poor generalization. Yeah, of course there is some fear involved. But, considerring the history of religion, I think the argument can be made that it begins with a curiosity of those things that we cannot fully explain. For instance, why do we fear? Of course, if you are some eliminative materialist you can just say that it is an instinctual reaction that can be overcome by proper mental training. And it may be insinctual. But the obvious question is "why?"
I do not doubt that some people are motivated by fear. But, if fear was the motivation, don't you think that people would be virtually unable to make a decision and be happy with it? There are many religions, and more than one teaches divine retribution.
I think, in healthy cases, the motivations include, fear, commitment, faith, desire for love, etc. An unhealthy faith would be relient on only one.
A fine bit of critical thinking if I may say so.
context found here:
http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?postid=80455#post80455
I think this is a poor generalization. Yeah, of course there is some fear involved. But, considerring the history of religion, I think the argument can be made that it begins with a curiosity of those things that we cannot fully explain. For instance, why do we fear? Of course, if you are some eliminative materialist you can just say that it is an instinctual reaction that can be overcome by proper mental training. And it may be insinctual. But the obvious question is "why?"
I do not doubt that some people are motivated by fear. But, if fear was the motivation, don't you think that people would be virtually unable to make a decision and be happy with it? There are many religions, and more than one teaches divine retribution.
I think, in healthy cases, the motivations include, fear, commitment, faith, desire for love, etc. An unhealthy faith would be relient on only one.
A fine bit of critical thinking if I may say so.